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Submitted for the first time. Good luck to all.
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Tried something new this year.
Did not stress over it... was inspired by my first idea... wrote it up.
Proof read it a couple times then submitted it!
Good luck everybody!
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First-timer here, too. So excited! Is there a way to view one's entry after it's been submitted?
First-timer here, too. So excited! Is there a way to view one's entry after it's been submitted?
Before you submit, you can use the "preview" button to see how it will look once submitted. After you submit, you'll have to wait and see if it comes up during voting.
First-timer here, too. So excited! Is there a way to view one's entry after it's been submitted?Before you submit, you can use the "preview" button to see how it will look once submitted. After you submit, you'll have to wait and see if it comes up during voting.
Thanks! I previewed my submission many times, but am paranoid that I made some last-second error. Guess I'll find out!
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lair-master, you always want to have a copy of your final version on your hard drive (or google docs or cloud or somewhere). That holds true for anything you submit, as you never know when some problem could require you to re-send it.
I noticed a small change I wanted to make when I preview my item, so made it and the copied and pasted it back into the document I'd been using so I have the exact version I sent in.
RPG Superstar 2015
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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How does one do voting?
Moik, Owen's being elusive, he's a man of mystery.
If it's like the last two years, there will be a page that will randomly chose two items especially for you and present them to you side by side on your screen. You'll have a minimum 60 seconds to read them and choose one over the other. Usually that means you decide and then have 45 seconds to kill until the system let's you place your vote and then presents you with two more wonders to behold for 60 more seconds.
It is in that 45 seconds that we hardcore voters go to our second open browser window and do ridiculous things in other places in the forum to entertain ourselves. We make veiled commentary on items; lament how we've seen 42 items that bear striking resemblance to our own, but do it better or worse; talk about the next round (MAPS!); ask if anyone's seen their own item; talk about anything EXCEPT SPECIFICS! Do NOT disqualify yourself by talking about your entry.
This time is always kind of contentious, those of us who have been around a while can be kind of blunt about our take on the items we're seeing, but since we can't get specific, it's especially blunt. It's a tricky period, we're all stressed because we have 3 weeks of waiting and seeing stuff a lot better than our own and a lot of stuff much worse. It's like some kind of crazy S&M experiment. Oh, and speaking of experiments, there will be statisticians who talk about who many entries they think there are and all sorts of crazy stuff.
So, Owen may have been playing coy, but stick with me kid, I'll tell it to you like it is. IT'S FREAKING AMAZING!
I noticed when previewing my item that I can still see my avatar, will my avatar be shown with my item when I submit it because that would be bad?
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I noticed when previewing my item that I can still see my avatar, will my avatar be shown with my item when I submit it because that would be bad?
Per other posts, your avatar doesn't show up and not even the judges can see your avatar/name during the voting period.
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I have to disagree slightly with mamaursula.
Especially early on, take that full minute before it lets you cast your vote to really look over the items. Think about what they do and which item you think is better. Read 'em a couple times. There's no race to get the most votes. And sure, one vote alone isn't going to make a huge difference in the rankings, but I wouldn't want someone to downvote my item because they didn't read it closely and realize what it does.
Now, after two weeks of voting, when you've seen every item a half-dozen times, then I have no problem switching windows since I'm likely to know which item I prefer after about 15 seconds. Still, even then, I try to weigh the merits of both equally and scan each to make sure I'm remembering both correctly or that it's not an item I haven't seen before.
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RPG Superstar 2015
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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I have to disagree slightly with mamaursula.
Especially early on, take that full minute before it lets you cast your vote to really look over the items. Think about what they do and which item you think is better. Read 'em a couple times. There's no race to get the most votes. And sure, one vote alone isn't going to make a huge difference in the rankings, but I wouldn't want someone to downvote my item because they didn't read it closely and realize what it does.
Now, after two weeks of voting, when you've seen every item a half-dozen times, then I have no problem switching windows since I'm likely to know which item I prefer after about 15 seconds. Still, even then, I try to weigh the merits of both equally and scan each to make sure I'm remembering both correctly or that it's not an item I haven't seen before.
You're right, the first 250 probably do require most of the full 60 seconds. I was just so excited thinking about voting opening in 2-ish days.
We also compile lots of lists, we're kind of neurotic around here.
lair-master, you always want to have a copy of your final version on your hard drive (or google docs or cloud or somewhere). That holds true for anything you submit, as you never know when some problem could require you to re-send it.
I have a copy of my final version. I was concerned I might have accidentally deleted something and didn't notice before clicking "submit", unlikely as that may be. It's an irrational fear, I know. I'm just nervous.
lair -- irrational fears are common around here. : )
I don't think there's a competitor yet who's tried to check his/her submission's word count who hasn't been really nervous about actually hitting the submit button.
I've never made an item before! But I still submitted something heheh. I got to say this comp is a good way to kick your butt into gear and learn something new. I've been pouring over the forum soaking up all the generous information!
RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Champion Voter Season 6, Champion Voter Season 7, Champion Voter Season 8, Champion Voter Season 9
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I have to disagree slightly with mamaursula.
Especially early on, take that full minute before it lets you cast your vote to really look over the items. Think about what they do and which item you think is better. Read 'em a couple times. There's no race to get the most votes. And sure, one vote alone isn't going to make a huge difference in the rankings, but I wouldn't want someone to downvote my item because they didn't read it closely and realize what it does.
Now, after two weeks of voting, when you've seen every item a half-dozen times, then I have no problem switching windows since I'm likely to know which item I prefer after about 15 seconds. Still, even then, I try to weigh the merits of both equally and scan each to make sure I'm remembering both correctly or that it's not an item I haven't seen before.
Agreed Dragon Michaels!
I take my time unless I remember the item exactly, which usually starts happening around 1k. I remember hitting new items into the 3k range.
I look over the items I instinctively dislike to see why I dislike them. I once spent 30 minutes on a single item that was horrendous and over word count, because I was actually trying to figure out what it did, nothing was my conclusion.
I take notes on quite a few good/bad items, to help with voting or ideas to use later. Sometimes certain phrasing on items is genius, while the rest of the item is dull. Novel mechanical aspects can sometimes require a bit of rules delving to see exactly how they work.
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 32
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Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mechaPoet
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lair -- irrational fears are common around here. : )
I don't think there's a competitor yet who's tried to check his/her submission's word count who hasn't been really nervous about actually hitting the submit button.
And rational fears, of course. ;D
I wasn't nervous at all--right up until just before I submitted my item, and then the several hours afterward when I considered all the things I could have done differently. But I like what I put out there, and I've decided not to worry about it anymore. Worse comes to worst, there's always next year, eh?
In all of the years that I have entered this contest and not made the top 32, this is the first time that the idea and writing came relatively easy to me.
I'm not sure if that is a good sign or not. Maybe it was the shorter deadline that kept me from overthinking my design and making it more complex than it needed to be but here's hoping!
I'm sitting here looking over the completed object and wondering from as many perspectives as I can if everyone else will think it's as cool as I do. I certainly hope so. Making top 32 on my first entry would be a spectacular achievement in my eyes.
That and hoo boy, I feel like the Rain Man of creating magic items now.
I'm in.
lair-master, you always want to have a copy of your final version on your hard drive (or google docs or cloud or somewhere). That holds true for anything you submit, as you never know when some problem could require you to re-send it.I have a copy of my final version. I was concerned I might have accidentally deleted something and didn't notice before clicking "submit", unlikely as that may be. It's an irrational fear, I know. I'm just nervous.
On the very plus side, I can guarantee you will see it again if it is selected as a Top 32 finalist :P
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lair-master, you always want to have a copy of your final version on your hard drive (or google docs or cloud or somewhere). That holds true for anything you submit, as you never know when some problem could require you to re-send it.
I noticed a small change I wanted to make when I preview my item, so made it and the copied and pasted it back into the document I'd been using so I have the exact version I sent in.
This is especially true in case you ever take up freelancing professionally. I always compare my turnover to the finished product, to see what changes the editor made to my work. Then I try to figure out WHY he made those changes, and use that knowledge on future assignments.
This is my first year submitting an entry, so I'm really excited to see how it goes! Best of luck to all!
Especially early on, take that full minute before it lets you cast your vote to really look over the items. Think about what they do and which item you think is better. Read 'em a couple times. There's no race to get the most votes. And sure, one vote alone isn't going to make a huge difference in the rankings, but I wouldn't want someone to downvote my item because they didn't read it closely and realize what it does.
Now, after two weeks of voting, when you've seen every item a half-dozen times, then I have no problem switching windows since I'm likely to know which item I prefer after about 15 seconds. Still, even then, I try to weigh the merits of both equally and scan each to make sure I'm remembering both correctly or that it's not an item I haven't seen before.
This This This +1 a thousand times over. Especially "I wouldn't want someone to downvote my item because they didn't read it closely and realize what it does".
I take my time unless I remember the item exactly, which usually starts happening around 1k. I remember hitting new items into the 3k range.
I look over the items I instinctively dislike to see why I dislike them. I once spent 30 minutes on a single item that was horrendous and over word count, because I was actually trying to figure out what it did, nothing was my conclusion.
I take notes on quite a few good/bad items, to help with voting or ideas to use later. Sometimes certain phrasing on items is genius, while the rest of the item is dull. Novel mechanical aspects can sometimes require a bit of rules delving to see exactly how they work.
This bolsters my faith in the voting public. +1 and tip of the hat to you sir, and to all those like you.
After the first week of heavy voting is when I usually start to recognize items (unless, as some did last year, they appeared VERY frequently in front of me). I would usually end up taking more time than the 60 seconds in the first week of voting.
Once I recognize items for an hour then I start to speed through a bit. Re-read bits to double check I remember it correctly.
Oh and I submitted.
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Or are item with the same name but are different (orc torc looking at you).
Mine is in!
*Breathes heavy*
My idea....
*Breathes Heavy*
My creation....
*Breathes*
Subject...
*Breathes*
To JUDGMENT!!!
(Dun dun duuuunnnnnnn!)
To infinity Top 32... and beyond! [/Gob Lightyear]
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First time, too, and there are some major butterflies in my stomach.
I'm at least hoping to make it to the next round, because I'm fairly good at maps. But, to make it to the end; that'll be a feat unto itself!
Thank you for all the advice on voting, as I'm sure I'll be doing a lot of it, as soon as school is out.
...
I'm just hoping that I remembered to cross all my t's, dot all my i's, and mind my p's and q's.
RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka Locke1520
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I have to disagree slightly with mamaursula.
Don't let mamaursula's excited silliness fool you. We do take our voting seriously here. There is frequently (spirited) discussion and spots of research before we place our votes.
However we both have strong opinions about what makes an item Superstar and after several days of voting it is pretty easy to sort out which of two familiar items we like better.
It gets particularly interesting when we disagree.
Full-contact "Settlers of Catan" level "particularly interesting," I hear...
I prefer Space Farers of Catan to resolve tied items - I get to shake my space ship and if it's a black ball, then its a down vote...
... kidding about the voting...
... but I think Space Farers is way too cool ...
... Yup, I'm sad ...
So...I submitted my entry (by accident -- meant to "preview!") last night. The wording probably could have used another pass, but it was close. Such is life.
Best of luck to everyone!
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Full-contact "Settlers of Catan" level "particularly interesting," I hear...
I prefer Space Farers of Catan to resolve tied items - I get to shake my space ship and if it's a black ball, then its a down vote...
** spoiler omitted **
Cones of Dunshire or nothing!
Now I'm hungry for waffles.
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RPG Superstar 2015
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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lair-master, you always want to have a copy of your final version on your hard drive (or google docs or cloud or somewhere). That holds true for anything you submit, as you never know when some problem could require you to re-send it.I have a copy of my final version. I was concerned I might have accidentally deleted something and didn't notice before clicking "submit", unlikely as that may be. It's an irrational fear, I know. I'm just nervous.
I did accidentally delete something from my entry while editing it and didn't catch until after I submitted. It's okay, everyone who's voting has had that same fear or even done it (doh) and for the most part, no one holds it against you :-)
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RPG Superstar 2015
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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...I once spent 30 minutes on a single item that was horrendous and over word count, because I was actually trying to figure out what it did, nothing was my conclusion. ...
Okay, I'll bite, why did you waste so much time on a clearly DQ'd item? Self-hate? You deserve better than that Thomas!
Having spent the last year considering wondrous items, I definitely stumbled for the past week on this Open Call. After basically giving up last night, I came up with my idea just before I fell asleep. Sometimes things work out that way...here's hoping it's super enough to make it to the Top 32!
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I'M BACK!
For the first time since 2010 my real life is not so hectic that I can and have actually entered the contest this year. Voting this year is going to be much more hectic I do believe!
GOOD LUCK ALL, I know that this is going to be a great year filled with many Wondrous entires :)
RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8
aka Jiggy
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I'M BACK!
For the first time since 2010 my real life is not so hectic that I can and have actually entered the contest this year. Voting this year is going to be much more hectic I do believe!
GOOD LUCK ALL, I know that this is going to be a great year filled with many Wondrous entires :)
Um...
Um...I'M BACK!
For the first time since 2010 my real life is not so hectic that I can and have actually entered the contest this year. Voting this year is going to be much more hectic I do believe!
GOOD LUCK ALL, I know that this is going to be a great year filled with many Wondrous entires :)
shhh just let it happen...maybe they are ent tires that function similar to a chakram
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Yes...I did read the rules, not auto DQ for me.
Though I was looking forward to all the camping items that appear year after year. Maybe this year I will get lucky and someone will submit the Tent Pole Arm.
Though I was looking forward to all the camping items that appear year after year. Maybe this year I will get lucky and someone will submit the Tent Pole Arm.
How about a Staff Tent? :D
Rod of Tenting...
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Rod of Stewart for bards? Drawbacks: Gives the wielder that hairstyle (no save)
Thanks mamaursula et al. Glad to hear there's a cooldown timer. That gives the "unfamiliar scenario" items a chance to have some ideas of their utility kick in. I'd since read in the FAQ that voting is hot-or-not style, but the timer wasn't mentioned.
But that hairstyle gives a +2 to charm the opposite sex...30 years ago.
The 60 second timer is good at first, but quickly becomes annoying when you are seeing a less then Superstar entry for the umpteenth time and it's up against a super awesome...give it to me now item and your voting decision was made in 5 seconds because you've seen both items and KNOW with out needing to read them again which one is UP Vote worthy.
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RPG Superstar 2015
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Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka mamaursula
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I'M BACK!
For the first time since 2010 my real life is not so hectic that I can and have actually entered the contest this year. Voting this year is going to be much more hectic I do believe!
GOOD LUCK ALL, I know that this is going to be a great year filled with many Wondrous entires :)
Back at 2am and on my phone! I still think you're life is too hectic, but welcome back never the less! :-)
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Back at 2am and on my phone! I still think you're life is too hectic, but welcome back never the less! :-)
In my defense last week for work was extra hectic...funeral, baptism, and regular Sunday worship + extra Advent/Christmas things to do. With the limited turn over I had to keep your husband up to 2am on the phone.
When my wife woke up in the middle of the night she wanted to know who I was talking too...I told her it was Jake from State Farm. :P
Also, it's not my fault your clock is an hour a head of mine ;)